Huawei Patents Earbud-Storing Smartwatch

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) last month granted Huawei a patent for a smartwatch that can store a pair of Bluetooth earbuds inside it.

The earbuds can, theoretically, be stored in a hinged capsule, or "glued" on the back with magnets.

While no commercial devices have been released yet, this is potentially a goodinnovation from Huawei (provided the overall formfactor is not too large). Anyone who has ever tried to juggle a smartwatch or phone with a pair of corded or cordless headphones while navigating a crowded subway on the commute to or from work will know what a pain it can be.

And Huawei could do with some badly-needed innovation and differentiation. Its global smartwatch marketshare today stands at a puny 4% and few consumers worldwide are even aware Huawei sells such products.